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ladygaga · 2009 October 31st, 01:34 AM

Hi, long time reader but first time poster. There's a ton of excellent information on here!

I saw a recent thread that talked about doing math from a Stanford correspondence program. I want to take some math courses that I can't fit into my school courseload and was wondering how Top 5-10 program adcoms would regard math taken this way instead of from my school? (I go to a Ivy/top school but not Harvard or MIT! and am concentrating in Econ.)

Thanks everyone

tm_guru · 2009 October 31st, 01:58 AM

The stanford EPGY is well regarded, but if possible take the courses at you school. The adcom may question why you would not take these classes there if it is a top school.

econslave · 2009 October 31st, 02:04 AM

Which classes would you need, and what year are you in school? If you're a sophomore or junior and need calc or differential equations or something, consider a local community college if you're looking to get these preliminary classes "out of the way". If you've already taken these classes, why wouldn't the more advanced ones fit into your schedule?

mabuiir · 2009 October 31st, 03:16 AM

I am taking all courses in math with 2nd year BSc Actuarial science students in my Uni. These will not be reported in my transcripts. How can I tell adcoms that I have taken these courses?

ladygaga · 2009 October 31st, 06:04 AM

umm...mabuiir can you please create a thread for your question and not hijack this one?

tmguru and econslave: thanks for your responses guys! I was going to double major in econ and another subject purely out of interest (its not related to my career interests whatsoever), I'm still not sure if I'm going to do a full-out double major or not, I may just drop the second subject and end up with a lot of classes in it. I'm debating whether I'm interested in poli sci or econ grad school right now, and although I've been leaning more towards econ lately, I'm going to take up RA work with an econ prof at my school next semester to help me figure that out for sure.

After seeing all the information on here about how competitive top econ grad school programs are, I realized I better get in as much math as I can. I've taken all calc at my school, but nothing beyond that, so I'd aim to take diff eq/linear algebra/real analysis and other upper courses that outside programs may offer. I really am interested in the Stanford program because I can do it at my own pace, and I can do more courses/higher level courses than at a summer program. Plus I can use my summer to get other grad-school related experience!

Is Stanford EPGY math viewed as equivalent in rigor to community school math courses since you wouldn't be taking the courses on schedule with a full class? I know when some kids take community college courses and try to transfer them back to our school, the registrar is really picky about the courses matching up with what we would take. Econ adcoms seem to be even more picky, but also much more substance-oriented, so I am wondering if the Stanford name says anything in particular about the EPGY math courses? Thanks!

econslave · 2009 October 31st, 06:23 AM

First, your major itself will not matter all that much. It sounds like you have a decent amount of time left in college, so take a bunch of different classes -- for all you know your true passion might be in something unrelated to economics of political science.

For economics (and to some extent, political science), taking more math is essential. I'd say that at this point, finishing up your calc sequence (if needed) and taking differential equations or something at a community college as opposed to Stanford online would be equally regarded, although the community college class might be cheaper. I don't really know how online classes work, but there are huge benefits to having a set class schedule as well, so perhaps community college (concurrently, or while doing some research over the summer) might be better for these classes. Also, if you are taking these classes outside of your home institution, it really doesn't matter whether they transfer back to your home institution. The meaning of Calc III and differential equations across schools (community colleges and four-year schools) is so similar anyway (for instance, UC-Berkeley will take any California community college class in differential or calc I-III).

Once those classes are out of the way, really try to take the upper level math courses at your home institution. By that point, you will be certain about your majors, and you'll know exactly which classes you need to take, so there shouldn't be much of a reason to find other outlets to take math classes. The math classes should become the priority courses, except for the requirements for your major -- unless, of course, you don't plan to go directly to grad school (after graduating in May, I've taken two math classes while working full-time as an RA, for instance).

tm_guru · 2009 October 31st, 03:03 PM

'The math classes should become the priority courses, except for the requirements for your major'

100% agreed. If you are so set on taking 'interesting' classes, they should be taken outside of your own school, and the math taken at your home institution.

Finishing the calc sequence, Lin Algebra, ODE's and Real Analysis and having them on your home institution transcript will show that you realise the improtance of a good math background. There's no need to do any classes other than the above if you get A's or A-'s in them.

2009 October 31st, 01:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
ladygaga I JUST got here. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Top 5-10 Programs/Math Classes Hi, long time reader but first time poster. There's a ton of excellent information on here! I saw a recent thread that talked about doing math from a Stanford correspondence program. I want to take some math courses that I can't fit into my school courseload and was wondering how Top 5-10 program adcoms would regard math taken this way instead of from my school? (I go to a Ivy/top school but not Harvard or MIT! and am concentrating in Econ.) Thanks everyone

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2009 October 31st, 01:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
tm_guru TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 633	The stanford EPGY is well regarded, but if possible take the courses at you school. The adcom may question why you would not take these classes there if it is a top school.

2009 October 31st, 02:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
econslave Eager! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 79	Which classes would you need, and what year are you in school? If you're a sophomore or junior and need calc or differential equations or something, consider a local community college if you're looking to get these preliminary classes "out of the way". If you've already taken these classes, why wouldn't the more advanced ones fit into your schedule?

2009 October 31st, 03:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
mabuiir Eager! Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 38	I am taking all courses in math with 2nd year BSc Actuarial science students in my Uni. These will not be reported in my transcripts. How can I tell adcoms that I have taken these courses?

2009 October 31st, 06:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
ladygaga I JUST got here. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	umm...mabuiir can you please create a thread for your question and not hijack this one? tmguru and econslave: thanks for your responses guys! I was going to double major in econ and another subject purely out of interest (its not related to my career interests whatsoever), I'm still not sure if I'm going to do a full-out double major or not, I may just drop the second subject and end up with a lot of classes in it. I'm debating whether I'm interested in poli sci or econ grad school right now, and although I've been leaning more towards econ lately, I'm going to take up RA work with an econ prof at my school next semester to help me figure that out for sure. After seeing all the information on here about how competitive top econ grad school programs are, I realized I better get in as much math as I can. I've taken all calc at my school, but nothing beyond that, so I'd aim to take diff eq/linear algebra/real analysis and other upper courses that outside programs may offer. I really am interested in the Stanford program because I can do it at my own pace, and I can do more courses/higher level courses than at a summer program. Plus I can use my summer to get other grad-school related experience! Is Stanford EPGY math viewed as equivalent in rigor to community school math courses since you wouldn't be taking the courses on schedule with a full class? I know when some kids take community college courses and try to transfer them back to our school, the registrar is really picky about the courses matching up with what we would take. Econ adcoms seem to be even more picky, but also much more substance-oriented, so I am wondering if the Stanford name says anything in particular about the EPGY math courses? Thanks!

2009 October 31st, 06:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
econslave Eager! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 79	First, your major itself will not matter all that much. It sounds like you have a decent amount of time left in college, so take a bunch of different classes -- for all you know your true passion might be in something unrelated to economics of political science. For economics (and to some extent, political science), taking more math is essential. I'd say that at this point, finishing up your calc sequence (if needed) and taking differential equations or something at a community college as opposed to Stanford online would be equally regarded, although the community college class might be cheaper. I don't really know how online classes work, but there are huge benefits to having a set class schedule as well, so perhaps community college (concurrently, or while doing some research over the summer) might be better for these classes. Also, if you are taking these classes outside of your home institution, it really doesn't matter whether they transfer back to your home institution. The meaning of Calc III and differential equations across schools (community colleges and four-year schools) is so similar anyway (for instance, UC-Berkeley will take any California community college class in differential or calc I-III). Once those classes are out of the way, really try to take the upper level math courses at your home institution. By that point, you will be certain about your majors, and you'll know exactly which classes you need to take, so there shouldn't be much of a reason to find other outlets to take math classes. The math classes should become the priority courses, except for the requirements for your major -- unless, of course, you don't plan to go directly to grad school (after graduating in May, I've taken two math classes while working full-time as an RA, for instance).

2009 October 31st, 03:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
tm_guru TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 633	'The math classes should become the priority courses, except for the requirements for your major' 100% agreed. If you are so set on taking 'interesting' classes, they should be taken outside of your own school, and the math taken at your home institution. Finishing the calc sequence, Lin Algebra, ODE's and Real Analysis and having them on your home institution transcript will show that you realise the improtance of a good math background. There's no need to do any classes other than the above if you get A's or A-'s in them.

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